Long ago in the land of Jambudvip, there was a city called
Kamalapur. The king of that city was named Saharaksa. One day, in
the king's court came an astrologer. The king asked the
astrologer if he knew what was going to happen in the future. The
astrologer did not say a word. The king asked him second time. He
told the king, "A severe famine is going to break out and it
will wipe out the entire city."

The king did not like what he heard. He called his ministers
and asked them to work out a plan where they could save the
people. The ministers suggested that they should buy as much
grain as possible. The king emptied his treasury and bought as
much grain as he could. He stored the grain for bad days to come.

Later, in the month of Ashadh (June-July), the sky was covered
by dark clouds. The king looked up at the sky, and thought it
would rain. These and subsequently other clouds brought enough
rain for people to grow good crop. In a way king was happy for
the people but at the same time he was puzzled why astrologer's
forecast turned out wrong.

A few days later, the king's gardener came to the king with a
message. The message was that a Jain Muni would like to stay in
his royal park for the monsoon period. The muni was a Kevaljnai
(omniscient), one who knows past, present and future, all at the
same time.

The king rewarded the gardener for the message, and asked the
people of the city to welcome the sage. The king went to visit
the muni and listened to his holy words. The king then asked,
"How could the words of the astrologer not be true?"

The muni told the king, "The famine was averted because
of the birth of a pious soul in your city. The astrologer did not
know that."

The king asked him to tell about the previous life of this
pious soul.

The muni stated. "In the land of Bharat, there was a city
called Purimatala. In the city, there was a rich man, who
suddenly became sick. He tried his best to improve his health,
but did not succeed. One day he met a monk and after listening to
the sermon, he decided to give up his regular diet and only eat
simple foods cooked without any spices or salt. He also decided
to meditate regularly and observe celibacy. His health improved
within a few days. His pledge grew stronger now, so he continued
his diet, meditation, and celibacy.

Later, there was a famine in the city, and he used all his
wealth to feed the people. This helped people to survive the
famine. After he finished his life, he was reborn as a deva
(heavenly angel) and from there, he was reborn in your city, as
the son of a shravika named Subuddhi.

The king was very happy to hear this. He went to Subuddhi's
house to pay respect to the pious soul. He saw the child and
blessed him and gave him the name Dharmkumar (prince or son of
religion).

When Dharmkumar grew up, he married a beautiful, religious,
young woman. In his later years, he joined the holy order of
monks and after performing austerities and meditation, he
attained Kevaljnana and got liberated.